Italy's Martina Caironi triumphed in the 100m T63 event at the Paris Paralympics, securing the gold medal with a remarkable time of 14.16 seconds. This victory marked her return to the top, having previously claimed gold in London 2012 and Rio 2016. The race, however, was overshadowed by a dramatic incident involving her compatriots Ambra Sabatini and Monica Contrafatto, who were expected to complete a historic Italian podium sweep. Sabatini, the reigning champion, suffered a fall just before the finish line, colliding with Contrafatto and preventing both from securing medals initially. Despite this setback, a protest led to Contrafatto being awarded a bronze medal, alongside British athlete Ndidikama Okoh, who also claimed bronze. This event was a bittersweet moment for Italy as it aimed to replicate its success from the Tokyo 2020 Games, where the trio had dominated the podium.
In addition to Caironi's success, the Italian swimming team shone brightly at the Paralympics, securing three gold medals in the 4x100 medley freestyle relay and individual events. Notable performances included Stefano Raimondi's victory in the 200 medley SM10 and Alberto Amodeo's gold in the 100m butterfly S8. The Italian team also showcased their prowess in cycling, with the relay team finishing in silver position. These achievements contributed to Italy's growing medal tally, which now stands at 70, surpassing their total from the Tokyo Games.
